There are those outside the Christian community who see Christians as polytheistic. We are not. We have only one God, but sometimes fail to find the words to clearly portray Him as our Heavenly Father, our Savior – Jesus, and our companion – the Holy Spirit. The scriptures clearly show us that there is one God and that He manifests Himself in these three ways. Can we understand the Godhead? Surely! Romans 1:20 says, “His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and godhead; so that they are without excuse.” Paul, the Apostle, here indicates that we can understand the Godhead. Let’s search the scriptures and see how much we can find out.

To begin with, can we know that there is but one God (deity)? Or could there be two Gods? Or three? Or more? The Scriptures say:

I am Jehovah, and there is none else, there is no God beside me.” Isaiah 45:5

You believe that there is one God; you do well.” James 2:19

“For there is one God; and there is none other but He.” Mark 12:32

Yes, we can know that there is but one God! But who is this one God? Can we know who He is?

Again, we must go to the scriptures. Compare the Scriptures. These verses will help us to know who the One God is.

In this manner therefore pray: our Father in heaven.” Matthew 6:8

I pray to God that you do no evil.” 2 Corinthians 13:7*

(We pray to the Father; we pray to God.)

O Father, Lord of heaven and earth.” Luke 10:21

I am your God,” says the Lord God. Ezekiel 34:31

(The Father is Lord; God is Lord.)

From these verses, and many others, we can plainly see that the Father is God. Let’s search further.

Holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:21

All scripture is given by inspiration of God.” 2 Timothy 3:16

(Inspiration given by the Holy Spirit; given by God)

Satan filled your heart to lie to the Holy Spirit.” Acts 5:3

You have not lied to men but to God.” Acts 5:4

(He lied to the Holy Spirit; he lied to God)

These scriptures show us that the Holy Spirit is God. Let’s continue.

“I am the first and the last: I am He who lives, and was dead.” Revelation 1:17

I am the first and I am the last; beside me there is no God.” Isaiah 44:6.

(Jesus, the first and last: God, the first and last)

I am He who searches the minds and  heart.” Revelation 2:23

Lord my God…..you alone know the hearts.” 1 Kings 8:28 & 39

(Jesus knows the heart; only God knows the heart)

No doubt. These scriptures and many more show us that Jesus is God.

What have the scriptures shown us thus far?

There is one God.  The Heavenly Father is God.

The Holy Spirit is God.  Jesus is God.

Thus far these four facts lead us to two possible conclusions.

The Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus are all different names for the one God.

OR

The one God is three persons; the Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus.

Let’s look at each of these conclusions in the light of more scriptures.  Luke 3:21

Jesus also was baptized and while He prayed the heaven was opened, and the Holy Spirit descended  in bodily form like a dove upon Him, and a voice

came from heaven which said,  “You are my beloved son, in you I am well pleased.”

 

Each one exists separately – they are exclusive.

Each one exists at the same time – they are concurrent.

Also consider,

“For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:18

Each one has a different function – they function uniquely.

These two verses have given us some new facts.

—Each exists separately – they are exclusive.

—Each exists at the same time – they are concurrent.

—Each has a different function – they function uniquely.

How do these new facts affect our two previous conclusions?

They dispel the first. They cannot be the same, for they exist separately, at the same time and function uniquely.

They dispel the second. One God cannot logically be three persons anymore than one king can be three persons, or one carpenter three persons. The statement is contradictory. God is logical and has manifested Himself to us logically, for He has said that we can understand His Godhead (Romans 1:20).

Some in defense of the three person Godhead have likened God to a Committee of three persons. Again, there is only one God.

We have dispelled both of our previous conclusions, what are we left with?

One God;

The Heavenly Father is God;

Jesus is God;

The Holy Spirit is God.

The Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus are concurrent and exclusive and function uniquely.

Based on these facts, let’s consider a third possible conclusion.

The Heavenly Father, The Holy Spirit, and Jesus are concurrent, exclusive, and uniquely functioning manifestations of the one God.

According to Webster, a manifestation is “one of the forms in which an individual is manifested (or perceived or recognized).” Now the Godhead is beginning to make sense, just as the scriptures said it could. Can we not recognize God in each of His manifestations? We recognize water, steam, and ice each as H2O. These are three concurrent, exclusive and uniquely functioning manifestations of the same element. We can use similar reasoning concerning God.

But can God be a person? God is Deity. According to Webster, a person is a human being. But remember we are created in the “likeness” of God (Genesis 1:26). Can a person exist in three manifestations each concurrent, exclusive, and functioning uniquely?

Man is a person consisting of body, soul and spirit. Each of these manifestations of man exist concurrent, exclusive, and functions uniquely. Yes, a person can exist in three manifestations concurrent, exclusive and functioning uniquely. Therefore, man, made in God’s likeness, does exist in three manifestations.

HE is tri-une, and so are we. Man, as God does, exist in three manifestations – concurrent, exclusive and functioning uniquely.

Therefore:

The Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus are concurrent, exclusive, and uniquely functioning manifestations of the one God.

Having been brought to this conclusion by the scriptures, let’s see if other scriptures concerning God agree.

(Notice the italics)

There is ONE body and ONE spirit just as you were called in ONE hope of your calling, ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”  Ephesians 4:4-6

Also,

“I and my Father are ONE.” John 10:30

ONE and ONE are different words in the Greek. Why?  ONE describes something that is plural in it’s make-up (body). ONE describes something that is singular in it’s make-up (hope, faith).

The plurality of the body is clearly seen in 1 Corinthians 12:12, “For as the body is ONE, and has many members, but all the members of that ONE body, being many, are ONE body.”

The body is one body but it is made up of many members; thus the plural one describes it.

Subjects described by the plural one are plural in their make-up. God is described with the plural one in Ephesians 4:6. This agrees with our latest conclusion – the Heavenly Father, the Holy Spirit, and Jesus are concurrent, exclusive and uniquely functioning manifestations of the ONE God. And He is above all, as the Father; through all, as Jesus; and in you all, as the Holy Spirit.

In John 10:30 Jesus said, “I and the Father are ONE.” This is the plural ONE.

Having examined the scriptures, I believe we with confidence can say there is ONE God. Each of His manifestations exists at the same time, separate from each other, and function uniquely.

THE HEAVENLY FATHER, JESUS, AND THE HOLY SPIRIT ARE CONCURRENT, EXCLUSIVE, AND UNIQUELY FUNCTIONING MANIFESTATIONS OF THE ONE GOD.